Gloucester signings feature in Pacific Nations Cup

Many of their new Gloucester Rugby team mates may have reported back for preseason training already but Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and Seru Rabeni have been in Pacific Nations Cup action.

The Junior All Blacks retained their title this past weekend without even playing as Samoa's defeat at the hands of Fiji means that the New Zealanders cannot be caught.

Eliota played fly half in Samoa's crucial 14-19 defeat against Fiji having started at inside centre in the games against the Junior All Blacks and Japan, the first a 16-17 defeat and the second a 34-15 victory.

Meanwhile, Seru Rabeni has skippered Fiji in their first two matches, a 36-22 win over Tonga and a 45-17 defeat against the Junior All Blacks.

Fiji have one game remaining - against Japan in Suve next weekend.

Samoa's Pacific Nations Cup is over. However, they face two World Cup qualifying matches in the next couple of weeks.

Fly-half Billy Burns was named Man of the Match after the 35-14 European Rugby Challenge Cup victory over Stade Rochelais on Thursday evening, and was full of praise for all his team mates for the win after a short turnaround.

Gloucester have been in good form in recent weeks, but Backs Coach Tim Taylor knows that the Cherry and Whites will have to be at their best on Thursday evening (kick off 7:45pm) against a Stade Rochelais side flying high this season.

Speaking to GRTV after the bonus point win over Bristol, back row Lewis Ludlow revealed that despite a tricky first half, Gloucester backed their skills to come through, a faith that was evident in a strong second half showing.

Willi Heinz scored Gloucester's second try as the Cherry and Whites overturned a disappointing first 40 minutes and 0-6 half time deficit, to earn a 26-18 Aviva Premiership victory over Bristol Rugby on Saturday.

Gloucester's much changed side had to overcome conceding an early try on Thursday evening, but responded in style to down Stade Rochelais by 35 points to 14 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and set up a mouthwatering return fixture next weekend.

After taking 11 points from their last three games in the Aviva Premiership, including bonus point wins against Wasps and Bristol, Gloucester will be looking to continue their good form when they welcome La Rochelle to Kingsholm.